Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Training

FCOI training is mandatory for anyone who is an Investigator on an award funded by the Public Health Service (PHS), the Department of Energy (DoE) or any foundation that follows the PHS FCOI regulations.

  • Investigators must complete FCOI training prior to engaging in new or continuing awards funded by PHS and foundations that follow the PHS FCOI regulations.

  • Investigators have to be re-trained every four years and whenever there is a change to the institution's COI policy that affects the Investigators' obligations.  The institution must also re-train any investigator who has been found to not be in compliance with the regulations and/or Brown's COI policy.

  •  Investigators who have taken the FCOI training through Brown’s Traincaster system will receive automatic notifications and reminders when they are due for re-training.

Where can I take the FCOI training?

Brown’s on-line FCOI training module is available through Traincaster. The online module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes a quiz.  

  • If you have a Brown username and password, click here to log into the Traincaster system.  

  • If you do not have a Brown username and password, click here to log into the Traincaster system. 

The FCOI training module should be assigned to you. If you do not have a Traincaster account, or if you cannot find the FCOI training module, please contact the COI Administrator.  

I took the required FCOI training less than four years ago at another institution. Do I still need to complete Brown’s FCOI training?

Yes.  FCOI training completed at another institution cannot be used as a substitute for Brown’s training. The PHS and DoE FCOI regulations, which mandate FCOI training for Investigators, require that institutions train their Investigators not only on the PHS or DoE FCOI regulations, but also on institutional policies and procedures. Since institutional policies and procedures vary, training must be taken “locally” at your current institution.

Brown offers an abridged version of the COI training for anyone who has taken the required FCOI training within the last four years at another institution. If you are interested in taking the abridged course version, please contact the COI Administrator for assistance.